GMAT FAQs

GMAT Focus Test is a standardized test taken by candidates who wish to enroll in business schools and other managerial courses. The new GMAT Focus Edition was created with a wide range of candidates in mind. It is nearly an hour shorter than the GMAT Exam and requires less preparation time because it consists of just three 45-minute sections, namely, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights, and does not require an essay. The exam deals with skills that are required in careers related to these courses. It is also one of the prerequisites for college admissions. The score range of the exam is between 205 and 805. The exam is conducted in a multiple-choice format.

It has been 60 years since the advent of this examination and over 2,400 institutions around the world accept the score reports of the test. This page has collected the most commonly asked questions relating to the test and has also answered them for the benefit of the test takers.

GMAT Exam Queries

Has the GMAT Focus Edition registration started?

Yes, the registration for the new GMAT Focus has started. You can visit the official website of GMAC to register for the same.

How to register for GMAT Focus Edition?

Candidates can register for GMAT Focus Edition by creating an account on the official website of GMAC, logging in, and clicking on the “GMAT Exam” link followed by the “Register for GMAT” link. After this, they can select the date, time, and location of their choice according to the availability of the same.

What is the cost of applying for GMAT?

The price to apply for the GMAT Focus Edition differs depending on the nation, local currency, and taxes applicable in the country. The cost of applying for the GMAT Focus Edition ranges between $250-$310 though there will be an additional cost if the candidate wishes to cancel or reschedule their test date. This additional cost depends upon the time they have left for the test date. For candidates living in the US, the cost of registration is $275 for in-person testing and $300 for online testing.

What is the time duration of GMAT Focus Edition?

GMAT takes a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes in all. Each section is given 45 minutes.

How many sections are there in GMAT Focus Edition?

There are now only three sections in the new GMAT Focus Edition: data insights, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning.

How is the test offered?

The GMAT Focus Test is offered online and at test centers. Test-takers are free to select the exam mode that best suits their needs.

When will the GMAT Focus Edition score be released?

Candidates will be able to receive an unofficial score report based on the different sections other than the Analytical Writing immediately after the test has been taken. However, the official score report for GMAT will be released after 3-5 business days of the test date. In some cases, it may take up to 20 business days.

How many times one can take the GMAT Focus Edition?

You have five annual opportunities to retake the GMAT Focus test center or online, for a total of eight attempts.

Are the GMAT Focus score reports different from those of the current GMAT exam?

Yes, the score scale for GMAT Focus Edition is 205-805. While the Section scores range between 60-90. Candidates receive information on how they performed compared to other candidates for the same program, along with their overall and section scores, percentile rankings, and insights by section, question type, and content area.

How long will the current GMAT exam be accessible?

The Focus edition testing begins on November 7, 2023, but the current GMAT exam will run until January 31, 2024.

How many score reports will I be able to send?

Within 48 hours, candidates can send their official score reports�"free of charge�"to as many as five programs. following this time. Additional score reports will need to be paid for after this period.

What is the Bookmark and Edit option in the GMAT Focus Edition?

You have the option to review as many questions as you like and edit up to three answers after each section.

What is tested in the Data Insights section?

Your ability to read and understand data in a variety of formats, including tables and graphs, is put to the test in the Data Insights section.

How many questions are in the GMAT Focus?

GMAT Focus consists of 64 questions broken down into 3 sections. There are 21 questions on Quantitative Reasoning, 23 on Verbal Reasoning, and 20 on Data Insights.

GMAT Focus Test Day Queries

How important are the first ten questions?

There is no official answer to this question. The first ten questions on the GMAT should be given equal weight by candidates as the other questions on the test. Therefore, one should not try to spend more time than necessary answering these preliminary questions.

Why is the GMAT called a Computer-Adaptive Test?

This is because the exam constantly adapts and scores with the difficulty level of the questions by assessing the answers made by the candidates to earlier questions. To explain this further, if a candidate answers a question correctly the question that follows will be of a higher difficulty level, and if they fail to answer a question the next question they receive will be of a lower difficulty level.

Is it necessary to have advanced math knowledge in subjects like Calculus or Linear Algebra to get a good score?

No. Having a sound knowledge of basic arithmetic, elementary algebra, and frequently tested geometry concepts will be enough to crack the examination. Logic and analysis skills should also be focused upon as they can be developed to a much greater extent through the use of practice tests.

Is it more important to complete the exam than ensure the answers that are marked are right?

Candidates will have a chance of scoring better if they answer all questions since the exam does not have negative markings. But this is strictly advisable only for questions that the candidate does not know about. Working out the right answer within a stipulated time and marking the closest probable answer if the time is done may be the best approach to the test.

How can one improve their pacing for the test?

The only method for improving pacing is to practice using full-length practice tests and keeping track of the time until the candidate gets better at pacing. It is also advisable to allocate a particular time for each question so that the candidate will not waste extra time on any question. Understanding the question types and the format involved will also be of great help.

Is the GMAT Focus Edition designed for native English speakers?

No. The organization that owns the GMAT - the GMAC - makes every effort to leave out words, phrases, and cultural references that are identified with American culture. Even the Verbal Reasoning section of the test only focuses on the overall proficiency language the candidate has in English leaving out cultural references for the assessment of the same.

Will taking the GMAT again increase the score?

It is considered to be a good option to retake the test as long as the candidate has prepared better for the test. With the same level of preparation, there is no guarantee of an increased score.

Will a great GMAT score be enough to get admission to a college?

This depends on the quality of the rest of the college application. The GMAT is just one component that the admissions committee looks at. A strong GMAT score may not offset a less-than-perfect college transcript record or a weak essay. Top B-schools are looking for candidates with a defined post-MBA career goal and a good GMAT score contributes to it though it isn’t the only variable applicable.